Africa: Malawi announce squad for AFCON qualifiers first two clashes

Malawi national team have officially revealed their 27-man squad for the first two rounds of the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The 2023 AFCON is set to take place between June and July of next year in Ivory Coast.

A total of 24 teams will qualify to play in the final tournament, including the hosts, who qualify automatically.

The teams competing for a spot in the prestigious tournament are placed in 12 groups of four teams each, with the top two in each group progressing to the finals.

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The preliminary round of the qualifiers saw São Tomé and Príncipe, South Sudan, Lesotho, Eswatini, Botswana, and the Gambia all advance.

Egypt, who will look for a spot in the AFCON for the 26th time in their history, started from the final qualification round and were placed at the head of group D.

Joining the Pharaos will be Naby Keïta’s Guinea, Ethiopia, and Malawi, with the top two teams securing a place for themselves in the finals.

Malawi, who played in the prestigious tournament three times before including the last edition in Cameroon have announced their squad for their first two games against Ethiopia and Guinea.

Malawi squad:

Goalkeepers: Ernest Kakhobwe, Charles Thomu, Clever Mkungula.

Defenders: Stanley Sanudi, Paul Ndhlovu, Belssings Mpokera, Alick Lungu, Mark Fodya, Kelvin Kadzinje, Gomezgani Chirwa, Frank Chikufenji, Hadji Wali, Precious Sambani, Patrick Banda, Herbert Wayekha.

Midfielders: Yamikani Chester, Schumacher Kuwali, Miciam Mhone, Chikoti Chirwa, Innocent Msowoya, Chawanangwa Ghumbo, Patrick Macheso, Balikinyo Mwakanyongo, Chimwemwe Idana.

Forwards: Anthony Mfune, Mphatso Kamanga, Gaddi Chirwa, Chiukepo Msowoya, Zeliat Nkhoma, Stain Dave.